Health benefit utilization and out-of-pocket expenses in outpatient care and hospitalizations: Baseline surveys of three primary care sites in the Philippines

Background@#The Philippine Primary Care Studies (PPCS) is a network of pilot studies that developed, implemented, and tested strategies to strengthen primary care in the country. These pilot studies were implemented in an urban, rural, and remote setting. The aim is to use the findings to guide the policies of the national health insurance program (PhilHealth), the main payor for individualized healthcare services in the country.@*Objective@#The objective of this report is to compare baseline outpatient benefit utilization, hospitalization, and health spending, including out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses, in three health settings (urban, rural, and remote). These findings were used to contextualize strategies to strengthen primary care in these three settings.@*Methods@#Cross-sectional surveys were carried out using an interviewer-assisted questionnaire on a random sample of families in the urban site, and a stratified random sample of households in the rural and remote sites. The questionnaire asked for out-patient and hospitalization utilization and spending, including the OOP expenses. @*Results@#A total of 787 families/households were sampled across the three sites. For outpatient benefits, utilization was low in all sites. The remote site had the lowest utilization at only 15%. Unexpectedly, the average annual OOP expenses for outpatient consults in the remote site was PhP 571.92/per capita. This is 40% higher than expenses shouldered by families in the rural area, but similar with the urban site. For hospital benefits, utilization was lowest in the remote site (55.7%) compared to 75.0% and 78.1% for the urban and rural sites, respectively. OOP expenses per year were highest in the remote site at PhP 2204.44 per capita, probably because of delay in access to healthcare and consequently more severe conditions. Surprisingly, annual expenses per year for families in the rural sites (PhP 672.03 per capita) were less than half of what families in the urban sites spent (PhP 1783.38 per capita). @*Conclusions@#Compared to families in the urban site and households in the rural sites, households in remote areas have higher disease rates and consequently, increased need for outpatient and inpatient health services. When they do get sick, access to care is more difficult. This leads to lower rates of benefit utilization and higher out-of-pocket expenses. Thus, provision of “equal” benefits can inadvertently lead to “inequitable” healthcare, pushing disadvantaged populations into a greater disadvantage. These results imply that health benefits need to be allocated according to need. Families in poorer and more remote areas may require greater subsidies.

Effectiveness and safety of ultra-low-dose spinal anesthesia versus perineal blocks in hemorroidectomy and anal fistula surgery: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background: Ultra-low-dose Spinal Anesthesia (SA) is the practice of employing minimal doses of intrathecal agents so that only the roots that supply a specific area are anesthetized. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of ultra-low-dose spinal anesthesia with that of Perineal Blocks (PB). Methods: A two-arm, parallel, double-blind randomized controlled trial comparing two anesthetic techniques (SA and PB) for hemorrhoidectomy and anal fistula surgery was performed. The primary outcomes were postoperative pain, complementation and/or conversion of anesthesia, and hemodynamic changes. Results: Fifty-nine patients were included in the final analysis. The mean pain values were similar in the first 48 h in both groups (p > 0.05). The individuals allocated to the SA group did not need anesthetic complementation; however, those in the PB group required it considerably (SA group, 0% vs. PB group, 25%; p = 0.005). Hemodynamic changes were more pronounced after PB: during all surgical times, the PB group showed lower MAP values and higher HR values (p < 0.05). Postoperative urinary retention rates were similar between both groups (SA group 0% vs. PB group 3.1%, p = 0.354). Conclusion: SA and PB are similarly effective in pain control during the first 48 h after hemorrhoidec-tomy and anal fistula surgery. Although surgical time was shorter among patients in the PB group, the SA technique may be preferable as it avoids the need for additional anesthesia. Furthermore, the group that received perineal blocks was under sedation with a considerable dose of propofol.

Use of complementary and alternative medicines in ENT outpatient department of tertiary care hospital in Southern Rajasthan

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is highly gaining popularity along with main treatment streams these days. Physicians cannot ignore this fact and should question and counsel patients about pros and cons of CAM for cure of different ailments. Aim and Objectives: The objective of the study was to know about use of CAM among patients visiting Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) outpatient department (OPD) in tertiary care hospital of Southern Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in ENT OPD for 2 months. Two hundred and fifty patients were considered for the study. Semi-structured questionnaire was prepared and made to be filled by the patients during their visit to ENT OPD after taking informed consent. Various questions were asked like extent of use of alternative therapies, type of CAM used by the patients, patient’s knowledge about ADRs and drug interactions, reasons for which alternative medicine might have been used. Results: Among 250 patients, CAMs were used by 36 patients. The most common CAMs were either Ayurveda or Homoeopathy medicines or both. The majority of patients obtained their information from family and friends. Maximum patients used these alternative medicines for relief of cough and hoarseness of voice. Conclusion: The study throws light on use of alternative drug therapy and streams of medicine along with routine hospital treatment among patients visiting ENT OPD. This knowledge helps to understand about patients’ alternative approach to diseases, about self-medication, patient’s belief about different types of therapies and also ignorance of possible health hazards, side effects, and complications due to use of concomitant main and alternative medicines for treatment purposes.

Prevalencia de diabetes, características epidemiológicas y complicaciones vasculares / Prevalence of diabetes, epidemiological characteristics and vascular complications

Resumen Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia de diabetes en atención ambulatoria y describir sus características epidemiológicas, comorbilidades y complicaciones vasculares relacionadas. Método: Corte transversal que incluyó la totalidad de adultos afiliados a la prepaga del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires en marzo de 2019, Argentina. Resultados: La prevalencia global de diabetes resultó del 8.5% con intervalo de confianza del 95% (IC95%): 8.3-8.6 (12,832 de un total de 150,725 afiliados). El estrato etario con mayor prevalencia fue el grupo entre 65 y 80 años, con un 15.7% (IC95%: 15.3-16.1). Las personas con diabetes presentaban una media de edad de 70 años (desviación estándar: 14), el 52% eran mujeres, y los factores de riesgo cardiovasculares más frecuentemente asociados fueron: dislipidemia (88%), hipertensión arterial (74%) y obesidad (55%). En relación con el control metabólico, el 60% tenía al menos una hemoglobina glucosilada medida en el último año, siendo el 70% de estas menores al 7%. Casi el 80% tiene medido el colesterol vinculado a lipoproteínas de baja densidad (c-LDL) al menos una vez en los últimos dos años, de ellos el 55% presentaba un valor de c-LDL igual o menor a 100 mg/dl. Las complicaciones macrovasculares presentes en orden de frecuencia fueron: infarto agudo de miocardio (11%), accidente cerebrovascular (8%) y enfermedad vascular periférica (4%); mientras que las complicaciones microvasculares resultaron ser neuropatía diabética (4%) y retinopatía (2%). El 7% tuvo pie diabético, con menos del 1% de amputaciones. Conclusiones: La diabetes representa un problema prevalente, incluso en pacientes ancianos. Esta población sigue presentando un elevado riesgo cardiovascular, con escaso cumplimiento de objetivos terapéuticos.

Abstract Objective: To estimate prevalence of diabetes in outpatient care and to describe its epidemiological characteristics, comorbidities, and related vascular complications. Methods: Observational cross-sectional study which included all adults affiliated from a private insurance health plan on March 2019, at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, from Argentina. Results: The global prevalence of diabetes resulted in 8.5% with 95% CI 8.3-8.6 (12,832 out of a total of 150,725 affiliates). The age stratum with the highest prevalence was the group between 65 and 80 years old with 15.7% (95% CI 15.3-16.1). People with diabetes had a mean age of 70 years (SD 14), 52% were women, and the most frequently associated cardiovascular risk factors were: dyslipidaemia (88%), arterial hypertension (74%) and obesity (55%). In relation to metabolic control, 60% had at least one glycosylated hemoglobin measured in the last year, 70% of which were less than 7%. Almost 80% have LDL measured at least once in the last 2 years, 55% of them had an LDL value equal to or less than 100 mg/dl. The macrovascular complications present in order of frequency were: acute myocardial infarction (11%), cerebrovascular accident (8%) and peripheral vascular disease (4%); while the microvascular complications were found to be diabetic neuropathy (4%) and retinopathy (2%). 7% had diabetic foot, with less than 1% amputations. Conclusion: Diabetes represents a prevalent problem, even in elderly patients. This population continues to present a high cardiovascular risk, with little compliance with therapeutic goals.

Estudo transversal sobre ausências de pacientes em consultas médicas agendadas em ambulatórios de hospital terciário / Cross-sectional Study On Patient Absences In Medical Consultations Scheduled In Outpatient Clinics Of Tertiary Hospital / Estudio Transversal Sobre Ausencias de Pacientes Em Citas Médicas Programadas Em Pacientes Ambulatorios de Hospitales Terciarios

Objetivo: Analisar variáveis relacionadas ao agendamento de consultas ambulatoriais que não se realizaram pela ausência dos pacientes. Métodos: Estudo transversal produzido em hospital público terciário de referência para o Sistema Único de Saúde. Foram sorteados aleatoriamente 493 pacientes, e a amostra final totalizou 317 pacientes que faltaram a consultas médicas. Variáveis investigadas: recebimento de mensagens via celular informando a data da consulta, intervalo entre a data do agendamento e da consulta e a realização de reagendamento. Os dados foram oriundos de relatórios informatizados de faltosos a consultas agendadas e entrevistas telefônicas. Análises estatísticas realizadas no programa SAS® for Windows, versão 9.3. Resultados: 49.8% dos pacientes informaram não terem recebido mensagem lembrando sobre a data da consulta. O tempo entre o agendamento e a data da consulta ficou entre 180 e 365 dias para 36,6% dos pacientes. Reagendaram a consulta 24,6% dos pacientes. Conclusão: É necessário ampliar procedimentos para prevenção de faltas às consultas, independentemente do tempo entre o agendamento e a consulta. (AU)

Objective: To analyze variables related to the scheduling of outpatient appointments that did not take place due to patient no-show. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary public referral hospital providing services to the Brazilian Unified Health System. A total of 493 patients were randomly selected, and the final sample totaled 317 no-show patients. Variables investigated: receipt of messages via cell phones informing the appointment date, interval between the scheduling date and the appointment date, and rescheduling. Data were obtained from computerized reports regarding absenteeism from scheduled appointments and telephone interviews. Statistical analyses were performed using the SAS® for Windows software, version 9.3. Results: 49.8% of patients reported not having received a message reminding them of the appointment dates. The interval between scheduling and the appointment dates was from 180 to 365 days for 36.6% of patients. A total of 24.6% of patients rescheduled their appointments. Conclusion: It is necessary to expand procedures to prevent missed appointments regardless of the time between scheduling and the appointment. (AU)

Objetivo: Analizar variables relacionadas con la programación de consultas externas que no se realizaron por ausencia del paciente. Métodos: Estudio transversal realizado en un hospital público terciario de referencia del Sistema Único de Salud. Se seleccionó aleatoriamente a 493 pacientes y la muestra final fue de 317 pacientes que faltaron a las citas médicas. Variables investigadas: recepción de mensajes vía celular informando la fecha de la cita, intervalo entre la cita y la fecha de la cita y reprogramación. Los datos provienen de informes computarizados de ausencias n citas programadas y entrevistas telefónicas. Análisis estadísticos realizados en SAS® para Windows versión 9.3. Resultados: En el 49.8% de los pacientes informaron no haber recibido un mensaje recordando la fecha de la cita. Conclusión: Es necesario ampliar los procedimientos para evitar citas perdidas independientemente del tiempo entre citas y citas. (AU)

Consultas de demanda espontánea sobre trastornos del desarrollo en el Hospital Garrahan / Spontaneous consultations for developmental disorders at Garrahan Hospital

Introducción: Los trastornos del desarrollo (TD) constituyen un motivo de consulta muy frecuente en la práctica pediátrica. El Hospital Garrahan recibe por demanda espontánea al servicio de Mediano Riesgo (MR) consultas de cuidadores con preocupaciones sobre el desarrollo de los niños, niñas y adolescentes (NNyA). Allí son valorados por pediatras clínicos, quienes realizan la interconsulta al servicio de Clínicas Interdisciplinarias del Neurodesarrollo (CIND) según necesidad (representan el 10% del total de consultas en MR). El objetivo del trabajo es comparar las características de los pacientes de MR que fueron consultados al área de Maduración de CIND durante el bimestre marzo/abril de 2016, 2021 y 2022. Materiales y métodos: estudio retrospectivo, observacional y comparativo. Se revisaron las historias clínicas analizando las siguientes variables: edad, procedencia, contar con pediatra de cabecera, cobertura de salud, motivo de consulta y sospecha diagnóstica. Resultados: La cantidad de consultas aumentó por encima del 20%, con un descenso en la mediana de edad de alrededor de un año. Aproximadamente el 70% de los pacientes procedían del conurbano en los tres períodos. Observamos un descenso respecto al número de NNyA con seguimiento pediátrico y cobertura social. El lenguaje y la conducta fueron los motivos más frecuentes de consulta y la mayor sospecha diagnóstica fue el Trastorno del Espectro Autista (TEA). Conclusiones: Los datos observados pueden relacionarse con el impacto de la pandemia así como también con las condiciones socio-económicas de los últimos cinco años, con un mayor conocimiento acerca del desarrollo y un probable aumento de la prevalencia de los TD (AU)

Introduction: Developmental disorders (DD) are a frequent reason for consultation in pediatric practice. The Garrahan Hospital receives spontaneous consultations at the department of Intermediate Risk (IR) from caregivers with concerns about the development of children and adolescents. At the IR department, children and adolescents are evaluated by clinical pediatricians, who consult with specialists at the Interdisciplinary Neurodevelopmental Clinic (INDC) as needed (accounting for 10% of the total number of consultations at the IR department). The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of IR patients who were consulted at the INDC during the bimonthly period March/April 2016, 2021, and 2022. Materials and methods: a retrospective, observational, and comparative study was conducted. Medical records were reviewed analyzing the following variables: age, provenance, having a primary care pediatrician, healthcare insurance, reason for consultation, and diagnostic suspicion. Results: The number of consultations increased by over 20%, with a decrease in median age of around one year. Approximately 70% of the patients came from Greater Buenos Aires in the three periods. A decrease in the number of children and adolescents with pediatric follow-up and a social health insurance was observed. Language and behavior disorders were the most frequent reasons for consultation and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was most often suspected. Conclusions: The observed data may be related to the impact of the pandemic as well as socio-economic conditions over the last five years, together with increased knowledge about development and a probable increase in the prevalence of ASD (AU)

Factors associated with the time to treat breast cancer in the pandemic period: an observational study / Factores relacionados al tiempo para tratamiento del cáncer de la mama en período pandémico: estudio observacional / Fatores associados ao tempo para tratamento do câncer de mama em período pândemico: estudo observacional

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the factors associated with the time to surgical treatment for breast cancer in patients seen at a reference mastology outpatient clinic in the State of Ceará. Methods: analytical, longitudinal study with medical charts from the Mastology Outpatient Clinic of Assis Chateaubriand Maternity School. We used 140 medical charts of breast cancer patients with surgeries performed during the pandemic. Results: the study evidenced associations between schooling and shorter time to treatment in patients who underwent biopsy before the first outpatient visit (p = 0.026; OR: 0.16; CI = 0.03-0.85); in the group who had the biopsy performed by the outpatient clinic, was associated the type of tumor (p = 0.019) and neoadjuvant therapy (p = 0.000). Conclusions: the lesser educational level, tumor type, and use of neoadjuvant therapy were factors associated with the time to treatment during the pandemic period.

RESUMEN Objetivos: analizar los factores relacionados al tiempo para tratamiento quirúrgico del cáncer de mama en pacientes atendidas en ambulatorio de mastología de referencia en el estado de Ceará. Métodos: estudio analítico, longitudinal, realizado con prontuarios del Ambulatorio de Mastología de la Maternidad Escuela Assis Chateaubriand. Fueron utilizados 140 prontuarios de pacientes con cáncer de mama con cirugías realizadas durante el período pandémico. Resultados: el estudio evidenció relaciones entre la escolaridad y el menor tiempo para tratamiento en las pacientes que realizaron biopsia antes de la primera consulta ambulatoria (p = 0,026; OR: 0,16; IC = 0,03-0,85); en el grupo que realizó la biopsia por el ambulatorio, estuvieron relacionados el tipo de tumor (p = 0,019) y la neoadyuvancia (p = 0,000). Conclusiones: el menor nivel educacional, el tipo de tumor y la utilización de la neoadyuvancia fueron factores relacionados al tiempo para tratamiento durante el período pandémico.

RESUMO Objetivos: analisar os fatores associados ao tempo para tratamento cirúrgico do câncer de mama em pacientes atendidas em ambulatório de mastologia de referência no estado do Ceará. Métodos: estudo analítico, longitudinal, realizado com prontuários do Ambulatório de Mastologia da Maternidade Escola Assis Chateaubriand. Foram utilizados 140 prontuários de pacientes com câncer de mama com cirurgias realizadas durante o período pandêmico. Resultados: o estudo evidenciou associações entre a escolaridade e o menor tempo para tratamento nas pacientes que realizaram biópsia antes da primeira consulta ambulatorial (p = 0,026; OR: 0,16; IC = 0,03-0,85); no grupo que realizou a biópsia pelo ambulatório, estiveram associados o tipo de tumor (p = 0,019) e a neoadjuvância (p = 0,000). Conclusões: o menor nível educacional, o tipo de tumor e a utilização da neoadjuvância foram fatores associados ao tempo para tratamento durante o período pandêmico.

Rivaroxabana em Pacientes Ambulatoriais com COVID-19 Leve ou Moderada: Fundamentação e Desenho do Estudo CARE (CARE - Coalition COVID-19 Brazil VIII) / Rivaroxaban in Outpatients with Mild or Moderate COVID-19: Rationale and Design of the Study CARE (CARE - Coalition COVID-19 Brazil VIII)

Resumo Fundamento Estudos anteriores revelaram alto risco de eventos tromboembólicos arteriais e venosos como consequência de danos virais diretos do SARS-CoV-2 em células endoteliais e um meio procoagulante devido ao aumento de biomarcadores como o D-dímero, fibrinogênio, fator VIII. Foram realizados ensaios controlados randomizados de terapias antitrombóticas em pacientes internados, no entanto, poucos estudos avaliaram o papel da tromboprofilaxia no ambiente ambulatorial. Objetivo Avaliar se a profilaxia antitrombótica com rivaroxabana reduz o risco de eventos trombóticos venosos ou arteriais, suporte ventilatório invasivo e morte em pacientes ambulatoriais com COVID-19. Métodos O estudo CARE é um ensaio randomizado, aberto, multicêntrico e controlado por rivaroxabana 10 mg uma vez por dia durante 14 dias ou tratamento local padrão isolado, para a prevenção de resultados adversos, registrado no Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04757857). Os critérios de inclusão são adultos com infecção confirmada ou suspeita do SARS-CoV-2, com sintomas leves ou moderados, sem indicação de hospitalização, no prazo de 7 dias após o início dos sintomas e um fator de risco de complicação da COVID-19 (>65 anos, hipertensão, diabetes, asma, doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica ou outras doenças pulmonares crônicas, tabagismo, imunossupressão ou obesidade). O desfecho primário composto inclui tromboembolismo venoso, necessidade de ventilação mecânica invasiva, eventos cardiovasculares agudos maiores e mortalidade no prazo de 30 dias após a randomização, sendo avaliado segundo o princípio da intenção de tratar. Todos os pacientes assinaram termo de consentimento. Foi estabelecido um nível de significância de 5% para todos os testes estatísticos. Resultados Os principais desfechos trombóticos e hemorrágicos, hospitalizações e mortes serão avaliados centralmente por um comitê de eventos clínicos independente, sob a condição cega para a alocação dos grupos de tratamento. Conclusão O estudo CARE fornecerá informação relevante e contemporânea sobre o possível papel da tromboprofilaxia em pacientes ambulatoriais com COVID-19.

Abstract Background Previous studies have demonstrated a high risk of arterial and venous thromboembolic events as a consequence of direct viral damage to endothelial cells by SARS-CoV-2 and a procoagulant milieu due to increased biomarkers, such as D-dimer, fibrinogen, and factor VIII. Although randomized controlled trials of antithrombotic therapies have been conducted in hospitalized patients, few have evaluated the role of thromboprophylaxis in an outpatient setting. Objective To assess whether antithrombotic prophylaxis with rivaroxaban reduces the risk of venous or arterial thrombotic events, invasive ventilatory support, and death in COVID-19 outpatients. Methods The COVID Antithrombotic Rivaroxaban Evaluation (CARE) study, a multicenter, randomized, open-label, controlled trial of rivaroxaban 10 mg once daily for 14 days or local standard treatment alone to prevent adverse outcomes, is registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04757857). The inclusion criteria are adults with confirmed or suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection and mild or moderate symptoms without indication for hospitalization, within 7 days of symptom onset, and 1 risk factor for COVID-19 complication (> 65 years, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other chronic lung diseases, smoking, immunosuppression, or obesity). The primary composite endpoint, which includes venous thromboembolism, invasive mechanical ventilation, major acute cardiovascular events, and mortality within 30 days of randomization, will be assessed according to the intention-to-treat principle. All patients will provide informed consent. A significance level of 5% will be used for all statistical tests. Results Major thrombotic and bleeding outcomes, hospitalizations, and deaths will be centrally adjudicated by an independent clinical events committee blinded to the assigned treatment groups. Conclusion The CARE study will provide relevant and contemporary information about the potential role of thromboprophylaxis in outpatients with COVID-19.

Intervención ambulatoria basada en categorización por complejidad en neurorehabilitación

Introducción: Existen múltiples factores que dificultan el acceso a la terapia de alta intensidad y pocos estudios han considerado la efectividad de la Neurorehabilitación motora ambulatoria basada en atención directa al paciente, ejercicios guiados por el cuidador y entrenamiento de autogestión en rehabilitación. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto en los resultados funcionales, de movilidad y equilibrio en los pacientes atendidos por un programa de Neurorehabilitación motora ambulatoria categorizados por complejidad en rehabilitación en el Hospital Carlos van Buren de Valparaíso. Material y Método: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo. Se analizaron los registros de los pacientes atendidos en 2018 en el policlínico de Neurorehabilitación del Hospital Carlos van Buren, se recopilaron los datos desde las historias clínicas, se categorizaron en tres niveles de complejidad en rehabilitación y se hizo el análisis estadístico. Resultados: Se estudiaron 34 usuarios, el diagnóstico más recurrente fue el accidente cerebro vascular en el 82,3%. En las escalas funcionales, todos los valores cambiaron de mayor a menor severidad, luego de la rehabilitación (Rankin modificado, índice de Barthel, el nivel funcional y velocidad de marcha). En relación con la recuperación proporcional, los pacientes de baja complejidad lograron un 13,5%, los de mediana el 83% y los de alta un 25%. Conclusiones: Los resultados indican que un programa de Neurorehabilitación motora ambulatorio proporciona cambios funcionales favorables a los pacientes de mediana complejidad en rehabilitación. El uso de una categorización de rehabilitación basada en la complejidad es una opción útil en el entorno clínico, pero se requiere de mayores investigaciones.

Background: There are multiple factors that hinder access to high intensity therapies. Few studies have considered the effectiveness of outpatient motor neurorehabilitation based on direct patient care, caregiver-mediated exercises and self-directed exercises. Objetive: Evaluate the effect of an categorized outpatient motor neurorehabilitation program in a Public Hospital with respect to functionality, mobility and balance. Material and Method: Retrospective cohort study. The patients seen in 2018 at the Neurorehabilitation polyclinic of the Carlos Van Buren Hospital were analyzed, the data was collected from the medical records, they were categorized into three levels of complexity in rehabilitation and the statistical analysis was performed. Results: A total of 34 users were studied, the most recurrent diagnosis was stroke in 82.3%. On the functional scales, all values changed from highest to lowest severity post intervention (modified Rankin, Barthel index, functional level and walking speed). In relation to proportional recovery, low complexity patients achieved 13.5%, median 83% and high 25%. Conclusions: The results indicate that an outpatient motor Neurorehabilitation program provides favorable functional changes for patients of medium complexity in rehabilitation. The use of a complexity-based categorization of rehabilitation is a useful option in the clinical setting, but further research is required.

Research on the core competence evaluation index system of general practice residents based on the outpatient environment / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective:To construct the core competence evaluation index system of general practice residents by the Delphi method.Methods:After the literature review of home and abroad and group discussion, the core competence evaluation index system of general practice residents in the outpatient environment was preliminarily developed. On this basis, the index system was determined through two rounds of expert consultation. Excel 2015 and SPSS 26.0 were used for data entry and statistical analysis.Results:The active coefficients of the two rounds of expert consultation were 95.0% (19/20) and 100.0% (19/19) respectively, and the degree of authority of the two rounds of expert consultation was 0.86. An index system consisting of 6 first-level indicators and 28 second-level indicators was determined. The 6 first-level indicators were medical services/patient care, medical knowledge, professionalism, systems-based practice, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal communication, and communication skills.Conclusion:This study has constructed a complete and highly reliable core competence evaluation index system of general practice residents based on the outpatient environment, which can provide reference for the cultivation of the outpatient reception ability of general practice residents in the future.

Health-related internet usage in the Service Outpatient Department of De La Salle University Center

Background@#Health related internet usage is common among patients globally. The literature review showed no local study regarding health- related internet usage in the Philippines hence investigation of internet use for medical information in the outpatient department was done@*Objective@#To describe the health-related internet usage; its prevalence, reasons & experience on use, perceived effects and sources of medical information in the Outpatient Department of a tertiary Hospital.@*Method@#A single center, observational, sectional study utilizing a modified 33-item self- administered questionnaire about Health-related Internet usage of patients consulting at the service outpatient department of De La Salle University Medical Center, Dasmariñas City, Cavite, Philippines fromSeptember-October 2020. 381 eligible participants were included in the study based on the computed sample size. The data were reported as frequencies and percentage distribution.@*Results@#Majority of the participants belongs to the 26-35 years old group (32.02%) and most were Females (69%). Most used the Internet in general (88%) and Health-related internet usage was high among these users (78.42%). Despite the high internet usage, majority stated that the primary source of medical information was Doctors (76.25%). Commercial websites such as (Google & Yahoo) were the most commonly used during health- related searches (40.49%) and most searches were about their medical condition (36.22%). Most of the participants stated that sometimes they trust information from the internet (58.63%) and find it useful (68%). Forty five percent stated that medical information obtained from the internet were applied without consulting a doctor and subsequently, many does not disclose this information during medical consultation with a doctor (64%). Participants stated that their primary reason for Health-related internet use was personal knowledge about medical condition (57%). Also, most of the participants believed that Health-related searches do not have an effect on their medical condition (62%) and relationship with their doctor (61%).@*Conclusion@#The study clearly indicated that Health- related Internet Usage was a common practice in the outpatient department. Although, majority of the patients stated that their Doctors were the primary source of medical information, many individuals still do not divulge medical information obtained from the internet hence physicians should regularly inquire regarding health-related internet usage and educate regarding erroneous online medical information to correct misperception that may affect their health. Lastly, due to the overwhelming use of the internet among patients, health institutions and practitioners may develop mobile friendly applications to render sufficient medical service and provide holistic care to patients especially in this time of pandemic.

Time-series analysis of association between air pollution and hospital outpatient visits in a district of Shanghai from 2015 to 2019 / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo explore the association between air pollutants and hospital outpatient visits in a district of Shanghai. MethodsDaily meteorological data， environmental data， data of outpatient visits to two secondary hospitals and two tertiary hospitals in this district from January 1， 2015 to December 31， 2019 were collected. A Poisson regression generalized linear model was used to analyze the exposure-response relationship between the air pollutants and hospital outpatient visits in this area. ResultsDuring the study period， the total number of outpatient visits in the included hospitals was 17 802 634， with an average daily total of （9 750±4 191） outpatient visits，and an average daily of （761±341） respiratory outpatient visits. In the lag effect of single pollutant model， when the concentration of air pollutant increased by 10 μg·m-3， PM2.5， SO2， NO2 had the maximum lag effect on the number of outpatient visits in the department of internal medicine for respiratory diseases on lag day 4， day 5 and day 7， respectively. And the RR values and 95%CI were 1.002 0（1.001 3‒1.002 6）， 1.0154（1.012 3‒1.018 5）， and 1.006 1（1.005 3‒1.006 9）， respectively. ConclusionThere is a exposure-response relationship between air pollutants and the number of outpatient visits in each department of the hospitals， and different pollutants have different degrees of lag effects.

Development of the index system of the quality evaluation standard for pharmacist training in cough and wheeze pharmaceutical care outpatient department / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To establish the index system of quality evaluation standard for pharmacist training in cough and wheeze pharmaceutical care （CWPC） outpatient department， and to provide a basis for the selection of CWPC pharmacist training teachers and the improvement of training plans. METHODS Based on Kirkpatrick model， using the Delphi method， a total of 15 experts from 13 tertiary hospitals in 10 provinces in China were consulted to establish the standard index system of the quality evaluation for CWPC pharmacists training. Analytic hierarchy process （AHP） was adopted to determine the weights of each indicator and quantify the index system according to the weights of indicators at all levels. RESULTS The coefficient of expert authority was 0.810， the judgment coefficient was 0.727， and the familiarity coefficient was 0.893. The Kendall coordination coefficient of each index was 0.308-0.687. The P values of χ2 test were all less than 0.05， which indicated that the degree of coordination of the experts was high. After two rounds of correspondence， Kirkpatrick model-based index system of quality evaluation standard for CWPC pharmacist training was determined. The index system included 4 first-level indexes （participants’ reaction layer， learning gain layer， behavior improvement layer， training outcome layer）， 12 second-level indexes （such as training needs， teaching methods， theoretical knowledge， practical skills， job abilities， patient benefits， etc.） and 44 third-level indexes （such as clear training objectives， core system of CWPC， special device operation and evaluation， professional knowledge related to the treatment of cough and wheeze patients， promoting the construction of CWPC， improving patient compliance）. CONCLUSIONS The constructed index system of quality evaluation standard for CWPC pharmacist training has a certain level of authority and scientificity， and provides a scientific theoretical basis for quality evaluation of CWPC pharmacist training.

Game analysis on hospital outpatient payment methods of Chinese basic health insurance based on principle-agent theory / 中华医院管理杂志

As the major means of outpatient payment for basic medical insurance (the insurance for short) relies on fee-for-service, it tends to encourage unreasonable growth of medical expenses. Based on the principal-agent theory, this paper analyzed the principal-agent relationship between the insurance handling agencies and the hospitals designated by the insurance, and constructed a benefit game model of outpatient payment methods and the supporting supervision game model. This practice aims to explore the optimal and balanced benefit of the insurance payment methods and supporting supervision mechanism, and provide decision support for promoting the reform of medical insurance outpatient payment in China. The analysis results of the benefit game model of payment methods showed that a system mixing the post-payment and pre-payment could optimize and maximize the total benefits and interests of all the stakeholders within the system. Specifically, the practice recommended was a mixed payment integrating ambulatory-payment-classification, fee-for-service and global-budget-payment. The analysis of the supporting regulatory game model found that the factors that must be considered to ensure the expected utility of the above mixed payment mode as follows: the gap between the unreasonable income obtained by the hospital by out-of-control charging and the reward obtained by under-control charging, the size of the penalty after the unreasonable income of the hospital was discovered, the size of the regulatory cost and the loss of benefits of the government and the insured group. It is suggested to adopt the mixed payment method mainly based on the ambulatory-payment-classification supported by fee-for-service and global-budget. At the same time, medical insurance agencies can improve their supervision mechanism from such aspects as perfecting penalties, reducing supervision costs, leveraging government administrative power and advocating public supervision.

Analysis of the current performance of pharmacy outpatient services at grassroots medical institutions at home and abroad / 中华医院管理杂志

Pharmacy services in grassroots medical institutions provide professional pharmacy services for patients. This service not only expanded the scope of primary care delivery, but also meets the residents′need for appropriate medication. At present, the majority of grassroots medical institutions in China provide outpatient pharmacy services by means of pharmacy service alliance, and foreign grassroots medical institutions mainly provide pharmaceutical outpatient services with drug treatment management as the core for patients by granting pharmacists partial prescription rights.In recent years, pharmaceutical outpatient services in grassroots medical institutions had achieved good results in improving patient clinical outcomes, enhancing medication rationality, and enhancing patient compliance. However, there were many unresolved issues, including low public awareness, shortage of pharmaceutical talents, and imperfect guarantee systems. The author suggestted that efforts should be made to increase the publicity of pharmaceutical outpatient services, improve the training mechanism for pharmacists, strengthen cooperation between pharmacists and clinical physicians, include pharmacists in the contracted service team of family doctors, and improve various guarantee systems, in order to provide reference for promoting the sustainable development of pharmaceutical outpatient services in grassroots medical institutions in China.

Construction and application of multidisciplinary scientific research outpatient in clinical research / 中华医院管理杂志

In recent years, some large public hospitals in China had successively opened scientific research outpatients to provide consulting services for clinical research, but there were generally problems such as insufficient audience and single role of expert teams. In July 2021, Shanghai Clinical Research Center established a multidisciplinary scientific research outpatient for the entire clinical research cycle, providing medical staffs with such services as clinical research design and project application, paper revision and achievement transformation. It also provided clerkship for medical students on campus to cultivate their standardized clinical research thinking. As of July 2022, the outpatient had provided research consulting services 16 times, teaching 8 class hours to medical students, and collaborated to solve multi-dimensional clinical research practical problems throughout the entire cycle, such as clinical trial design, project application, and paper publication. Good results had been achieved by this outpatient to provide reference for promoting the development of scientific research outpatients in China and improving the clinical research level of hospitals.

Status quo of hospice care service in community health service centers in Shanghai / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective:To survey the status quo of hospice care service in community health service centers in Shanghai.Methods:A questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the situation of hospice care services from January 2021 to December 2021 in 16 community health service centers selected by stratified sampling from 16 districts in Shanghai.Results:Among 16 community health service centers, 13 provided inpatient hospice care services, 16 provide home hospice care and 14 provided outpatient hospice care services; and totally 1 935 (77.93%), 158 (6.36%) and 390 (15.71%) patients received palliative care, respectively. In centers providing inpatient hospice care service, the average bed number was 12 (10, 20); the annual number of patients was 58 (29, 137); the average length of hospital stay was (29.55±11.18) days; and the bed occupancy rate was (55.51±30.02)%, which in urban districts was significantly higher than that in rural districts ((74.76±19.33)% vs.(39.00±28.32)%; t=2.61, P=0.024). The number of patients receiving home hospice care in each center was 10 (3, 19) and the average duration of home service was (66.97±29.41) days. The proportion of physician fee of inpatient hospice care and that of home hospice care were (8.61±5.27)% and (6.25±3.11)%, respectively. While the proportion of medication expenses of inpatient hospice care and that of home hospice care were (35.60±16.13)% and(49.58±9.16)%, respectively. The outpatient hospice service were opened 2.0 (1.0, 4.0) days a week in 14 centers and 95 (58, 199) patients received services. Inpatient services were mainly provided for the patients with non-malignant chronic diseases (53.23%, 1 030/1 935), while home hospice care (89.87%, 142/158) and outpatient hospice care (83.85%, 327/390) mainly provided service for malignant patients. Conclusion:There is still room for improvement about the hospice care services delivered by community health service centers in Shanghai:discrepancy of utilization of hospice care services between urban districts and rural districts, low utilization of home and outpatient hospice care services, unreasonable cost composition in inpatient and home hospice care services.

Effect of modified blood management strategies on blood loss and transfusion rate during outpatient total hip arthroplasty / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To explore the impact of a modified blood management strategy on blood loss and transfusion rates during outpatient total hip arthroplasty(THA).Methods:The retrospective research was performed in a total of 125 patients (125 hips) who underwent outpatient primary THA from January 2019 to December 2021 at a medical center. According to whether a modified blood management protocol was used or not, all patients were divided into two groups. Group A was used the original perioperative blood management strategies (1 g tranexamic acid, intravenously, 10 minutes before skin incision), and group B was used the modified perioperative blood management strategy (on the basis of the original protocol, 2 g tranexamic acid was sprayed locally in the joint cavity before the incision was closed, 1 g tranexamic acid was injected intravenously 3 hours after surgery, and 1 g tranexamic acid was injected intravenously again on the first day after surgery). There were 52 cases in group A, including 32 males and 20 females, aged 58.5±9.8 years (range, 39-69 years), 13 cases were developmental hip dysplasia (Crowe I°-II°), 24 cases were avascular necrosis of the femoral head, 10 cases were hip osteoarthritis, 3 cases were ankylosing spondylitis involving hip joint, and 2 cases were femoral neck fracture. Among the 73 patients in group B, there were 43 males and 30 females, aged 55.8±10.4 years (range, 42-67 years), including 17 cases of developmental hip dysplasia (Crowe I°-II°), 32 cases of avascular necrosis of the femoral head, 16 cases of hip osteoarthritis, 7 cases of ankylosing spondylitis involving hip joint, and 1 case of femoral neck fracture. Intraoperative blood loss, transfusion, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) events (vascular ultrasound, 2w Postop.), the hemoglobin (Hb) drop, the hematocrit (Hct) drop and other complications were recorded.Results:After using the modified strategy, the intraoperative blood loss was significantly reduced (305.6±38.6 ml vs. 416.2±88.3 ml, t=9.51, P<0.001), and the drop of hemoglobin was significantly decreased (18.1±4.0 g/L vs. 22.3±5.8 g/L, t=4.97, P<0.001). The drop of Hct also decreased significantly (7.3%±0.7% vs. 9.6%±1.3%, t=10.21, P<0.001), and total blood loss decreased significantly (720.6±57.4 ml vs. 919.6±86.3 ml, t=15.49, P<0.001). The hidden blood loss was also significantly lower than that in group A (414.9±71.1 ml vs. 503.5±96.4 ml, t=5.91, P<0.001). One patient (in group A) developed intra-articular hemorrhage 2 h after surgery and was transferred back to the inpatient ward for treatment after transfusion. Three patients (2.4%, 1 in group A and 2 in group B) developed symptomatic anemia and were discharged successfully after conservative treatment. Calf muscular venous thrombosis occurred in 3 patients (2.4%), but no symptomatic deep vein thrombosis occurred in all patients. Conclusion:According to this retrospective research, the use of modified blood management strategy during outpatient THA can further reduce intraoperative blood loss, hidden blood loss and postoperative hematocrit drop, and does not increase the occurrence of perioperative thrombosis-related complications.

Correlation between atmospheric nitrogen oxides and nitrogen dioxide acute exposure and outpatient visits of pediatric respiratory diseases / 预防医学

Objective @#To examine the association between acute exposure to traffic-related air pollutants (TRAP) NOX and NO2 and outpatient visits of pediatric respiratory diseases. @*Methods @#Data regarding outpatient visits to Department of Respiratory Diseases of Beijing Children's Hospital from 2015 to 2020 were collected, and the concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NOX), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and other TRAP were collected from the surveillance sites assigned by the Peking University Health Science Center. A time-stratified case-crossover design was employed, and a conditional logistic regression model was created to examine the association between NOX and NO2 acute exposure and outpatient visits of pediatric respiratory diseases. @*Results @#The daily mean outpatient visits of pediatric respiratory diseases were 571 (interquartile range, 554) person-times among children at ages of 0 to 14 years in Beijing Children's Hospital from 2015 to 2020, and the daily mean outpatient visits for upper respiratory tract infections (URI), bronchitis, and pneumonia were 265 (interquartile range, 282), 143 (interquartile range, 178) and 128 (interquartile range, 120) person-times, respectively. The daily mean concentrations of atmospheric NOX and NO2 were 67.8 (interquartile range, 50.7) and 49.3 (interquartile range, 30.7) μg/m3, respectively. Conditional logistic regression analysis showed the largest lagged effect of NOX and NO2 on pediatric respiratory diseases at cumulative lags of 0 to 7 days. An increase in NOX concentrations by an interquartile range resulted in the excess risks of URI, bronchitis and pneumonia by 6.87% (95%CI: 6.37%-7.38%), 7.25% (95%CI: 6.51%-7.99%), and 5.51% (95%CI: 4.69%-6.33%), and an increase in NO2 concentrations by an interquartile range resulted in excess risks of URI, bronchitis and pneumonia by 5.71% (95%CI: 5.12%-6.31%), 5.32% (95%CI: 4.51%-6.14%), and 4.83% (95%CI: 3.91%-5.75%), respectively. NOX and NO2 presented a more remarkable effect on outpatient visits of pediatric respiratory diseases among children at ages of over 5 years. @*Conclusion @#NOx and NO2 acute exposure may increase the outpatient visits of pediatric respiratory diseases.